Profound Sadness

Back in the cafe again for my Saturday coffee! The power company sent round texts last night to tell us we would be without power 7am - 7pm for the next 2 days......but we still have power. Is this their way of boosting their image? They tell us we will be without power, then when we have it we think they are marvellous? Oh, how cynical!

Our week has been overshadowed by very sad news. Some will know that our home church and local school have been supporting the family of Nsaba, our little one with TB. On Monday his brother Galashion was fine in the morning but complained of headache and stomach ache in the afternoon. They took him to the local Clinic who gave him a pill. On Tuesday he was able to walk around although still complaining of stomach ache. Tuesday night the pain got very severe but by the time the local Ambulance reached him, he had died. Unbelievably tragic. It is thought that he probably had many worms in his stomach and was given a pill to kill them however the mass of dead worms blocked his intestines which then ruptured. He would have needed emergency surgery to survive.

Sadly, many of the villagers are saying he was bewitched and are speaking words of fear to the rest of the family.

Geoffrey and I went to the burial. We took Nsaba as I hoped that would bring some comfort to the father. Also, I felt it would be good for the family to be together. After the burial, the father came and sat very close beside me. We could not communicate but I put my hand on his arm and I know he felt the sympathy. He was shaking with grief, poor man. Two losses in only a few months.

For those who know something of their story, Galashion was the 10 year old who was very active in working for money for the family - the one who carried water to the top of the mountain for 25p. We wondered whether he would want to go to school or would prefer to work. Apparently he loved school and had not missed a day this term.

On a lighter note, we have added to our numbers with 5 pregnant female goats and one Billy. These are a kind donation from a charity which wishes to remain anonymous. We had to send 2 men and a pick-up truck on a 12 hour round journey to collect them. By the time they got back it was late and dark. Where to put the frightened goats? They spent the night in the visitors hostel - not quite the type of visitors we had in mind! In the morning I stood at the door of the hostel and the whole length of the corridor was strewn with goat droppings. It took 3 men several hours to get it really clean again.

 

 

Having been released from the Hostel they spent a little time in the grounds to settle.

 

 

 

 

Then it was out the gate and turn left up the hill to their new home. The Billy is young and never been roped or confined before so is proving a handful. I am told he is not the best of specimens but all we could get. The first of the females should deliver around Christmas.

 

 

 

Here is Maureen, our prem baby star who started life at 800gms. She is now in Babies A and having to learn to get used to colder air than her incubator and Special Care Nursery room. She vomits when cold or undressed!